Graphisoft North America releases ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012

Graphisoft North America has announced that ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 is now available in the North American market. STAR(T) is a powerful BIM authoring tool at a competitive price point with a robust set allowing users to create and efficiently manage the building model, and automatically generate a full array of project documentation.

BIM for Small and New Firms

“We recognize the importance of BIM within the building and construction process, as well as the financial realities many new firms face. The release of STAR(T) 2012 represents our commitment to providing a powerful software solution to those customers,” said Steve Benford, managing director, Graphisoft North America. “ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 is an excellent option to gain a BIM solution that meets their needs now and will meet their needs in the future as they grow.”

ArchiCAD STAR(T) 2012

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 is a full-fledged BIM solution with critical features most smaller practices need. Architects can take advantage of a full BIM toolset and create any type of “virtual building” model and architectural documentation (floor plans, sections/elevations, 3D views, details).

There are several new features in the STAR(T) Edition users will enjoy, including:

• Intelligent Element Connections — automatic connections between building structures and elements to help the creation and maintenance of the BIM model while preserving the flexibility architects need
• 3D Design Space — the new 3D guidelines and editing planes to help the creation of the BIM model in the natural 3D environment, including axonometric and perspective views
• Latest DWG-DXF file exchange capabilities with the 3rd party applications of consultants

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 will be shipping for less than 2000.USD. For more information visit www.graphisoft.com to find a reseller.

Architosh Analysis

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition is an interesting product that we feel fits the majority of needs of the small office or sole practitioner very well. And a firm outgrows those needs a company can upgrade to the full version of ArchiCAD. The STAR(T) Edition can read files created with earlier version of STAR(T) (2007 and newer) as well as ArchiCAD 8.1 and 9.0.

What is different about this version versus the full version of ArchiCAD is that STAR(T) Edition doesn’t support the Teamwork functionality found in ArchiCAD proper. There is no XRefs support or Hotlinked Modules support. Also, some of the sophisticated modeling is not supported, such as shells, curtain walls, slanted walls, columns and the profile manager is not present. There is also no LightWorks rendering engine built in or Sketch Rendering. And finally there is no NET license or license borrowing. When it comes to documentation there are no limitations or differences between this product and ArchiCAD 15.

For those who have been interested in ArchiCAD but concerned about price STAR(T) offers them an alternative road map to migrating to a BIM practice.